Decorative sock adomment

ABSTRACT

An inexpensive and highly decorative band that may be used to adorn a user&#39;s sock. In one example embodiment, the band is used to decorate a child&#39;s sock for certain social activities such as church, school events and wedding ceremonies, etc. The decorative band uses an elastomeric material which easily adjusts to the child&#39;s or user&#39;s leg. The article is worn around the open end of the sock. The highly decorative band is compatible with all sock materials. One novel feature of the highly fashionable band is the use of invisible thread that prevents the unsightly staining of the highly decorative band. The highly fashionable band utilizes a braided elastomeric material for extra strength and durability.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to decorative bands for a pair of socks or hosiery, and more specifically, decorative bands to be worn by a user for special occasions to adorn the socks so as to be stylish and attract commendation from others.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Decorative bands are well known and typically made in numerous sizes to accommodate a variety of devices. For example, it is well known to use a small annular and/or ring shaped elastomeric member to maintain a user's sock upon her leg. Many other types of attachments to socks and hosiery have also been the subject of patentability. The following design patent illustrates a fashionable sock. Design U.S. Pat. No. 374,764 issued to Penn on Oct. 22, 1996 illustrates a sock dickie. The ornamental design of the sock dickie shows a dickie having a fuzzy upper half.

The following patents describe different types of socks, anklets, and hosiery for various uses from keeping a person's ankle warm to holding up the top of the sock above the wearer's calf. U.S. Pat. No. 743,625, issued to Elizabeth M. Douglas on Nov. 10, 1903, describes an anklet to protect a person's ankle from the cold weather.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,065,936, issued to Harry Hardie on Dec. 29, 1936, describes a band of a sock or stocking for wearing apparel. The band is anchored to the upper portion of the sock and comprises a strip of elastic rubber which presses a roughened surface against the wearer. The rubber strip is sewed in a position in a tubular welt knitted in the upper end of the sock. The band and sock are one unit comprising a body of knitted silk with an upper end with a welt forming a hollow tubular member.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,228,404, issued to Saftlas, et al. on Jan. 14, 1941, describes a supporter for holding up an article of clothing on someone's leg. The invention comprises a stocking which takes the form of a half hose having a welt which is either of the turned type or ribbed top commonly employed in a men's half hose.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,571,543, issued to Walter F. Connor on Dec. 6, 1948, describes a cloth top sock. The foot, ankle, and leg of the sock are constructed of knitted material while the cuff is constructed of woven material. U.S. Pat. No. 2,918,679, issued to Henry G. Bell on Dec. 29, 1959, describes an elastic support for a stocking. The knee-high stocking includes a knitted top or welt, a leg portion, a heel pocket, a foot, and a toe pocket. All the portions are of a unitary structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,122,906, issued to Herman E. Crawford on Mar. 3, 1964, describes a self-supporting hosiery top. The self-supporting hosiery top includes inwardly extending loops of relaxed frictional material around the inner periphery at the top. The material frictionally engages the leg of the wearer to support the top of the hose.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,580, issued to Otis W. Holder on Jul. 12, 1977, describes a boot sock with a stay-up cuff and a method. The stay-cuff includes an outwardly turned welt integrally knit to the top of the leg of the sock. The single-ply edge portion is adapted to extend down over the upper edge of the boot to prevent the sock from being drawn into the boot.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,177, issued to Margaret L. Binder on Nov. 26, 1991, describes cuff-like tubular extensions for wearing apparel. The cuff-like elements are formed from a textile which causes them to constrict about the wearer's legs or arms. A plurality of cuff-like elements may be interfitted with each other and worn independently of other apparel. The cuff-like elements can be separate from the wearing apparel.

There is a need for a decorative band that may be placed over a sock, hosiery or other leg covering that is highly fashionable so as to be worn to formal social events such as church, weddings, graduations and the like. There is also a need to have the band of the size, design and dimensions so as to be worn by children at special social occasions. Lastly, there is a need for an inexpensive laced sock such that the laced decorative band is interchangeable with the users sock to afford for mixing of the bands with different colored socks and for allowing the user to separately be able to wash the band to prevent ripping and tearing normally caused when washing laced socks.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, are seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a highly decorative fashionable band that may be worn to special social and to provide support and containment of the open end portion of a sock on the user. The present invention will attract commendation from others. The present invention is an annular and/or ring shape band comprising an elastomeric or stretch material. A lattice structure or lace pattern is attached to the elastomeric material giving a highly decorative appearance. For highly formal events, a ribbon shaped device is added to cause commendation and to afford the user the opportunity to match the ribbon with its accessories or clothing for extra appeal.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a decorative band that can transform a regular casual sock into a fashionable article of wearing apparel suitable for any occasion.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a highly decorative and fashionable band that requires no separate fastening means to secure the decorative band to the top portion of a user's sock or leg covering.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a decorative band that can be mixed and matched with socks and leg coverings of different textures and colors.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a highly decorative and fashionable band that eliminates unsightly sewing threads that stain the inherent beauty of the decorative band.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an article of wearing apparel or the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the highly decorative band.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the elastomeric portion of the highly decorative band.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred braided embodiment of the elastomeric portion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 generally shows the placement of the highly decorative band upon a user's leg above the open end of a sock.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of instant ribbon of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention are highly decorative and fashionable bands, designated as 1 in the figures, for a pair of socks, hosiery or other foot and legs coverings that may be worn on any occasion. The highly fashionable bands comprise an elastomeric material designated as 2 in the figures which may be preferably twisted or braided as shown in FIG. 3. The band has smooth ends and smooth edges for added comfort. The highly decorative and fashionable bands can be slid onto the top of a sock or other foot covering.

One issue with the prior art bands is that those bands were directed to informal events such a sporting events, picnics and other non-formal social gatherings. The present invention cures this problem in the prior art by providing a decorative and highly fashionable band intended to raise one's social status within the community.

FIG. 1 illustrates the highly decorative and fashionable band 1. The band 1 includes an elastomeric material 2. A lattice or lace structure 4, preferably gathered lace, is wound around the elastomeric material to form an expandable ring shaped band 1. The term wound is used to describe the appearance of the lace structure 4 around the elastomeric material 2. The lace structure 4 is preferably sewn with a gathered or bunching sewing technique shown at element 3. Gathering or bunching provides a small fold or pucker made by gathering the lace structure 4 around the elastomeric material 2.

The elastomeric material 2 will be detailed in the discussion of FIG. 2 below. The highly decorative band 1 may be any color and made of any natural or synthetic material. The materials include, but are not limited to, cotton, polyester, silk, rayon and their chemical combinations and derivatives. It is preferred that the band 1 be a ¼ inch wide braided elastic band. This provides adequate support of the top portion of the sock and is appealing to an onlooker because of its smaller size.

The lace or lattice structure 4 may be of any design or construction. The highly decorative and fashionable band 1 attachments such as the lace structure 4 and the ribbon shaped material 9 may be sewn or stitched together using methods known to those of skill in the art. Preferably, the sewing or stitching is performed using an invisible thread (not shown for obvious reasons). Invisible thread is best known for its use by magicians to make small lightweight objects seem to levitate and animate. The invisible thread is a very thin monofilament thread usually made of nylon or other thread materials known to those in the art. The instant applicant has discovered that invisible thread provides a novel improvement over the prior art bands because it eliminates the unsightly threads that stained the appearance of the prior art bands. As an alternative embodiment, the highly decorative band may be sewn or stitched so that traditional threads can not be seen and cause a staining of the highly fashionable band.

FIG. 2 illustrates a band A made of the elastomeric material 2. The band A may be any width, but is preferably ¼ inches in width. Because the user's leg may be thick or thin and require extra or less strength, it is envisioned that the width of the band A may be in the range ⅛ to ¾ inches in width. The elastomeric material 2 may be made of any material that will stretch. However, it is preferred that the elastomeric material is made of rubber or rubberized foam. It is noted that the elastomeric material maybe expandably dimensioned to fit various parts of a user's anatomy especially the leg portion of a child.

FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the elastomeric material 2 in FIG. 2. The elastomeric material is preferably braided as shown by 6. This braiding adds strength and durability to the elastomeric portion 2 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the assembly B of the highly decorative band 1 with user sock or hose 5. Hashed lines shown in FIG. 4 illustrate the placement of the highly decorative band 1 near the open end of a user's sock 5 preferably a child user. However, the user may place the highly fashionable band anywhere upon the user's anatomy to elevate their status at social events and to provide an overall appealing look.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the ribbon of the present invention. The ribbon 9 is preferably expands around the entire circumference of and is attached to the lattice or lace structure 4 of FIG. 1. The ribbon 9 may be made of any natural or synthetic material similar or different from the lattice or lace structure 4 of FIG. 1. The ribbon 9 may be of contrasting color to the lattice or lace 4 of FIG. 1. The ribbon 9 is not limited to the ring shape of FIG. 5. The ribbon 9 may be tied into a bow shape or any other shape of high social appeal. As discussed above, the ribbon 9 is sewn to the lattice structure 4 with invisible thread. The thread secures the ribbon 9 to the lattice structure 4 and is appealing to onlookers since it is not easily seen to the visible eye. The ribbon 9 can also be attached to the lattice structure 4 by other means known in the art such as fabric glue.

The ribbon's 9 location can be such that it is centered on the lattice structure 4 or positioned such that is it shown along the top or bottom portion of the lattice structure 4.

All of the components of the band can vary in color and size. As known in the art, socks vary in size and color. Similarly, the user can mix and match the colors of the ribbons and lace with the various colors of the socks.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An article of wearing apparel comprising: a lattice structure being gathered lace; an elastomeric material; the lattice structure being secured directly around a top edge of the elastomeric material to form an expandable ring shape.
 2. The article of wearing apparel of claim 1, further comprising: a ribbon shaped material attached to the lattice structure.
 3. The article of wearing apparel of claim 2, further comprising: the ribbon shaped material being detachable and expands around the entire circumference of the lattice structure.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The article of wearing apparel of claim 1, further comprising: the elastomeric material is dimensioned to fit various parts of a user's anatomy.
 6. The article of wearing apparel of claim 5, wherein the article is placed over a sock worn by the user.
 7. The article of wearing apparel of claim 6, wherein the article is placed over an open end of the sock.
 8. An article of wearing apparel comprising: a lace pattern being lace; an elastomeric material being a band with smooth ends and edges; the lace pattern being wound directly around the elastomeric material to form an expandable ring, wherein the lace is gathered around a top edge of the band by invisible thread; a ribbon shaped material attached to the lace pattern; and the elastomeric material being dimensioned to fit a user's anatomy.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The article of wearing apparel of claim 8, further comprising: the ribbon shaped material expands around the entire circumference of the lace pattern.
 11. The article of wearing apparel of claim 10, wherein the ribbon shaped material is secured to the lace pattern by invisible thread.
 12. The article of wearing apparel of claim 8, further comprising: the elastomeric material is rubber or rubberized foam.
 13. An article of wearing apparel comprising: a lattice structure being gathered lace; an elastomeric material, wherein the elastomeric material is a braided elastic band; the lattice structure being attached directly to a top end of the elastomeric material such that the lattice structure extends downward from the band, wherein the top end is near an opening of the band; a ribbon shaped material attached to the lattice structure; the band being placed over a sock.
 14. (canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. The article of wearing apparel of claim 13, wherein the lattice structure and the ribbon shaped material are connected by an invisible thread.
 17. The article of wearing apparel of claim 8, wherein the ribbon and lattice structure are made from a group selected from natural or synthetic fibers.
 18. The article of wearing apparel of claim 13, wherein the lattice structure is gathered around the elastomeric material. 